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    Mikel Arteta tipped to channel Sir Alex Ferguson by Treble winner if he wants to claw back nine-point gap in title race

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    WHEN the odds were stacked against them, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United usually found a way.Only two teams in Prem history have come back from eight points off the top after 11 games and won the title: Blackburn in 1994/95 and United in 2002/03 AND 2008/09.Arsenal have slipped nine points adrift in the Premier League title race alreadyCredit: ReutersFormer Man Utd star Wes Brown is tipping to Gunners to pull off a spectacular comebackCredit: Willie VassThis season, Arsenal find themselves NINE points adrift at the same stage, needing to do what no Prem side has ever done to lift their first league trophy since the 2004 Invincibles.Wes Brown was a part of both those United squads that produced miraculous comebacks – a rare period in Sir Alex’s tenure where he was the chaser instead of the pack leader.In 2003, United finished five points clear of Arsenal. In 2009, they finished four points clear of Liverpool. Ultimately, their mad dash to the finish line was enough to win by a nose.So, what does it take to pull it off? Brown told SunSport: “First of all, the manager is very important. He’s the one that keeps everybody steady and calm.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL“He gives you the belief. Sir Alex wouldn’t necessarily shout. He would look at your aura and try to get the best out of you that way.“And then, it is up to the players to just keep going.“We had some good characters and we all trusted the players around us who would lead by example. We had been there, done it.“People see you win the league and think you were brilliant – not all the time, but somehow we won. It might be the collective, getting stuck in, an individual piece of brilliance.Most read in FootballWes Brown won two Premier League titles with Man Utd from eight points behind the league leaders after 11 gamesCredit: GettySir Alex Ferguson was the mastermind behind the comeback campaignsCredit: AP:Associated PressFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS“You might be having a tough game, but someone will get you a goal.“We’d always have someone that was on fire, normally a striker. He would get a chance and he’d score and lift everybody and slowly the belief comes back.”Mikel Arteta fumes over penalty decisions as Arsenal lose to Inter Milan In 2002/03 for United, it was Ruud van Nistelrooy. He scored 25 Prem goals that term, finding the net in each of their last eight to eventually leapfrog Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.And in 2008/09, it was Cristiano Ronaldo, with 10 league goals in the New Year to make it 18 in total to narrowly see off rivals Liverpool.Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal lack that sort of season-defining goal-getter, seemingly resting their hopes on Kai Havertz – with four Prem goals so far – to have a similar sort of impact.Brown added: “Naturally, you always say to yourself: ‘If we can get a good run we can catch them’, especially before Christmas. After that, it is a bit different.“You get into January, eight or nine points away, you’d be thinking the team you’re after are not going to lose.“I still think it is possible [for Arsenal]. It is early. You’ve just got to believe in yourself. You cannot give up. You find something in you that doesn’t allow that to happen.“But it does take a lot and it’s mostly a team sort of thing to deal with, even if you need talented individuals.”Kai Havertz is leading the line for Arsenal this seasonIn the aftermath of Arsenal’s 1-1 draw away at Chelsea last time out – making it four Prem games without a win – Gunners legend Paul Merson suggested if they can be within six points of Liverpool by Christmas, the title race is on.Brown said: “100 per cent. If all of a sudden it is six, Liverpool draw, you’re right back in it.“When we were battling with Arsenal and they were in the lead, if they messed up once, all of a sudden the gap is smaller. You’re putting pressure on them to see how they react.“If anything, as the chaser, you have the adrenaline.”Arsenal’s upcoming fixtures may well encourage a burst of form, starting on Saturday at home to Nottingham Forest before clashes against West Ham, Fulham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Brentford and an unknown entity in Man United under Ruben Amorim.But as Brown knows all too well, it is the big games that define a title run-in. It is put to him that Arteta’s Arsenal still have to go to Anfield in May.READ MORE SUN STORIESSpeaking on behalf of Betzillo, Brown laughed: “When you said ‘Anfield’, your voice changed. Why? A group of winners would say: ‘Let’s do it, let’s get them there’. That’s the difference.“That’s what you need, that sort of feeling”.A look at Arsenal’s next five fixturesHow Edu made Arsenal great againBy Jack RosserEDU GASPAR has been on a mission to ‘Make Arsenal Great Again’ ever since returning to the club he played for 2019.After a few wobbles early on – signing Nicolas Pepe will never reflect well – the Brazilian has, alongside Mikel Arteta, been crucial in the club’s transformation.Arteta was brought in as the new manager within months of Edu’s return to North London and the former midfielder stuck by the boss when the pressure was on two years into the job.Instead of making the knee-jerk decision to change manager again, the former Brazil international, joined forces with Arteta to institute a huge change of culture at The Emirates.Overpaid toxic influences such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were purged from the dressing room and Arsenal set about adding strong characters.Edu finally got the club competing in the transfer market again, with Martin Odegaard an outstanding capture for the club. In landing Declan Rice ahead of Manchester City last year Arsenal showed they couple compete for and sign some of Europe’s biggest talents once more.Arsenal have become one of the most attractive clubs in the Premier League and one of the most efficient in the market.While there have been big deals for the likes of Rice and Calafiori, there have been smart ones too – picking out value where others have lost hope.Kai Havertz appeared as a surprising signing after a dreadful season at Chelsea. But after Edu gave the German space and support to rebuild his confidence he has developed into a fine asset for Arteta.Edu does not only have a tight relationship with Arteta – who many fans will be glad signed a new deal before the sporting director’s departure – but the players too, always ready and waiting to check in, keep them going.London Colney and The Emirates will feel a very different place for all of them without Edu. More

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      Meet Ayden Heaven, 18, Arsenal defender and fan who is built like Patrick Vieira and idolises surprise ex-Gunners duo

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      IN Ayden Heaven, it seems Arsenal have got one hell of a player.The 18-year-old centre-back made his competitive senior debut in the Gunners’ 3-0 win at Preston in the Carabao Cup fourth round – from the bench in the 80th minute.Ayden Heaven is greeted by Mikel Arteta after his debut against PrestonCredit: ReutersThe defender (right) made his Gunners bow in the Carabao Cup at DeepdaleCredit: ReutersHeaven (second left) with other Arsenal academy stars after beating Bolton in the Carabao CupCredit: GettyHeaven has represented England at Under-18 levelBefore that, he was one of several academy stars to feature on the club’s pre-season summer tour of the States with boss Mikel Arteta starting him against Manchester United.Heaven – standing at 6ft 3in and a left-footer – was at fault for United’s opener, outmuscled and outpaced by Rasmus Hojlund, but he recovered well as Arsenal won the game 2-1.He has gone from strength to strength since then, looking good on living up to his potential and the lofty expectations Arsenal have of him to succeed.HOW DO THEY PLAY AND WHO DO THEY REMIND YOU OF?The first thing you notice about Heaven is his size and physicality, the body of a young, raw Patrick Vieira who is not afraid to get stuck in.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAs shown against Hojlund in the summer, Heaven still needs time to bulk up and prove he can mix it with the biggest and most intimidating strikers in the Prem.But Arteta is happy to remain calm in that department, mainly because of Heaven’s technique and calmness on the ball.Avid watchers of Arsenal’s academy sides know Heaven very rarely loses his cool, appears unflappable in possession and has the ability to ping cross-field balls like a prime Steven Gerrard.Arteta will be hoping Arsenal have another William Saliba-style defender in the making – one who is big, quick and able to start attacks from deep.Most read in FootballTELL US ABOUT THEIR RISE?Heaven is extremely highly thought of at Arsenal, having also made the bench for Arsenal’s last 16 first Champions League clash at Porto back in February.He is now a trusted member of the senior squad, expected to step up when called upon, especially after Arsenal’s injury woes at the start of this campaign.Arsenal teenager Jacker Porter made his Gunners debut against Bolton and became a record breakerAfter featuring against Preston, Heaven said: “I’ve waited a long time. Today the day finally came, I’m just happy. I thank my team-mates, my family and everyone that’s got me here.“I feel like Mikel has trust in me. I feel that’s a big part in it and yeah, I just feel like there’s trust when it comes to making your competitive debut.”Heaven signed for the Gunners in 2019 after being released by West Ham as a 12-year-old, having also had trials at Chelsea and Fulham – turning down the latter because training was too far from his north London home in Edmonton.Before being picked up by Arsenal, he played for Sunday League outfit Levels – a grassroots club who give players opportunities to compete against elite football academies.But Arsenal were always going to be his first pick given he was a boyhood fan – his idols being Alexis Sanchez and Theo Walcott.Heaven explained: “Arsenal were knocking on the door and that made more sense given that, firstly I’m a fan, but also the location was much more convenient.“Hale End was only a 15-minute drive, so everything fell into place perfectly. Signing for the club I’ve supported and my mum was so happy for me – she even cried!“My family are so important, they’re my motivation, I’ve got two younger siblings and an older sister that mean the world to me.”Heaven flourished under former Arsenal U18s coach Jack Wilshere, helping him get chances in the first team and training under Arteta at London Colney.The teenager added: “The intensity is crazy! You get dizzy sometimes because it’s at such a quick tempo. The difference between under-18s, under-21s and the first team is unbelievable.”I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this at his ageARTETA AFTER PRE-SEASON GAME AGAINST MAN UTDWHAT ARE THE EXPERTS SAYING?Arteta is not one for over-hyping a young player too quickly, but the Spaniard had some nice words to say about Heaven after the pre-season victory over United.He said post-match: “At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this.“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen.“But the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”WHAT DOES THE NEXT 12 MONTHS HOLD?Heaven’s future at Arsenal is not set in stone. After signing scholarship terms with the club last summer, he is yet to begin serious talks over a new deal.READ MORE SUN STORIESHis contract expires in June 2025. There is confidence an agreement can be made for such a young talent in the coming months. If not, there are big European clubs sniffing around, including Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, who famously developed young English stars like Jadon Sancho, Jude Bellingham and Jamie Gittens.BOY WONDERSHERE is more from our Boy Wonders series More

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      Arsenal boss Arteta’s cheeky tactic to cause last-minute confusion for opposition managers revealed by Zinchenko

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      MIKEL ARTETA likes to bamboozle the opposition with his use of injured players, according to Oleksandr Zinchenko.The Arsenal boss often thinks outside the box and he has come up with plenty of unique methods to make his side title challengers.Oleksandr Zinchenko revealed a devious Mikel Arteta tacticCredit: GettyArteta has hired pickpockets in the past to raise his players’ awareness, and he likes to keep opposition managers on their toes too.And there is one area where he is most secretive and at times deceptive – player injuries.Fans often joke Arteta always claims a player is unfit when he is ready to play, and Zinchenko has revealed the opposite is also true.Zinchenko told The Athletic: “[He] likes to play games with the opposition. READ MORE ON ARSENAL”I’ve seen him tell injured players to come on the team bus and walk into the dressing room with their wash bag, to put the other manager off the scent.”Arteta started Bukayo Saka against Liverpool after saying he was “very uncertain” to play.He then explained: “I don’t want to make it easy for anyone.“The opponent has to make sure they do their homework – like I have to. Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”When I know, I am not going to lie to you, I am not going to say, ‘He’s not fit’ and then I play him – I would never do that – but, if I am certain or I don’t want to tell you, I will keep you guessing.”Zinchenko, 27, has previously disclosed dressing room secrets including the time Arteta hired an undercover professional freestyler to destroy him in training.The freestyler posed as a waiter and caught Zinchenko completely off guard with his tricks, which left him in fits of laughter.Earlier this year the Gunners boss even hired a team of pickpockets to raid his squad during dinner.Unknown to the squad, the sleight-of-hand artists were tasked with going around the tables at the event.They then pinched valuable items including phones and wallets from the Arsenal stars.Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal suffered with tiredness against Shakhtar Donetsk At the end of the meal, Arteta stood up in front of the group to ask them to empty their pockets.Several players were left shocked to find they were missing their belongings.Arteta used the event to teach his squad the importance of being ready, alert and prepared at all times. More